Burnett's Hill Chapel

Burnett's Hill Chapel, Martletwy

 

Historic chapel and live music venue in Pembrokeshire

Burnett's Hill Calvinistic Methodist Chapel is a rare and important survival of early Pembrokeshire chapel architecture. Built in cottage style in 1812 to serve the coal-mining community of Landshipping and Martletwy, it has been little altered over the years and has a timeless charm all of its own.

Like so many Welsh chapels, Burnett's Hill was forced to close in the 1980s for want of a congregation, and it might have become a complete ruin but for the intervention of a group of local people who formed themselves into the Friends of Burnett's Hill Chapel and set about saving the building.

Thanks to the help of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Heritage Lottery Fund, this was achieved and the beautifully restored chapel re-opened in 2001.

Visitors are always welcome at Burnett's Hill, whether simply to view the building, which stands in the midst of splendid open countryside, or to attend one of the services, Sankey evenings or concerts which take place on a regular basis.

The chapel seats 100 people and has proved to be an ideal concert hall, hosting sell-out performances by - among others - John Kirkpatrick, The Classic Buskers, Hoover the Dog and Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Interior of Burnett's Hill Chapel

 


Forthcoming events


Friday 29th February 2008

 

Chris Moreton

Folk songs and classical music from a virtuoso acoustic guitarist - a Gower Folk Festival favourite

 

All tickets £6.00

 

Friday 14th March 2008

 

Rick Payne

Finger-picking and slide guitar maestro who is often compared with Ry Cooder.

 

All tickets £6.00

 

Friday 4th April 2008

 

The Evil Sweeties

Folk/country trio featuring local banjo player Jo 'Banjo' Cooper. Contact 01834-871616 for details.

 

All tickets £6.00

 

Thursday 8th May 2008

 

Beverly Smith and Carl Jones

Old-time Appalachian songs and tunes. Contact 01646-661363 for details.

 

All tickets £6.00

 

Wednesday 21st May 2008

 

Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet

Hot jazz and swing quartet featuring Iceland's finest fiddle player, Danny Cassidy

 

All tickets £8.50

 

Friday 18th July 2008

 

Welsh/Argentinian Guitar Duo

Adam Khan and Luis Orias Diz play music from their respective countries.

 

Contact 01639-700473 for tickets

 

Wednesday 1st October 2008

 

The Groanbox Boys

Multi-instrumental duo direct from the Appalachian Mountains

 

All tickets £6.00

 

Wednesday 15th October 2008

 

Rag Mama Rag

France-based blues and ragtime duo returning by special request

 

All tickets £6.00

 

 

Please note that these concerts invariably sell out, so it is essential to book tickets in advance.


All tickets can be obtained from The Pembroke Bookshop, 73 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4DA. Telephone 01646-685144.


FINDING BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL FROM CANASTON BRIDGE

Head towards Carew on the Oakwood road. At Cross Hands, turn right just after Canaston Bowl. Follow the road to Martletwy. Keep going down through Martletwy village, with the chuch on your left, and through Weston where there is a right hand bend. After half a mile, you'll see a post box in the hedge; take a left turn up a sharp hill. Turn left at the top and park along the verge on the right.

 

FINDING BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL FROM CAREW

Head towards Cresselly on the Canaston Bridge road. At Whitehill, turn left just after the Land Rover Garage. Keep going past the pub at Cresswell Quay and over the narrow stone bridge, taking the left hand fork up the hill and past Pen-quoit towards Lawrenny. At Deals cross-roads keep straight on. Half a mile further on you come to Knowles cross-roads. Turn right and keep going along a narrow lane for a mile and a half until you reach the chapel. Park in the farmyard on the right.

 

Useful tip: Bring a small cushion (the pews are hard) and also a pocket torch to find your car afterwards...

 

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